MIDDLE BRANCH ONTONAGON RIVER NEAR PAULDING, MI
USGS 04033000 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 04033000 · Michigan · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST; ranging 108 to 143 ft³/s; latest 142 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST | 143 | 4.56 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST | 141 | 4.54 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST | 142 | 4.55 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 141 | 4.54 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST | 141 | 4.54 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST | 141 | 4.54 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST | 140 | 4.53 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST | 140 | 4.53 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST | 138 | 4.52 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST | 140 | 4.53 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST | 140 | 4.53 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST | 138 | 4.52 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST | 140 | 4.53 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–171 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–171 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST | 137 | 4.51 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST | 136 | 4.5 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 135 | 4.49 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST | 135 | 4.49 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST | 133 | 4.48 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST | 133 | 4.48 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST | 133 | 4.48 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST | 132 | 4.47 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST | 131 | 4.46 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST | 131 | 4.46 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST | 130 | 4.45 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST | 130 | 4.45 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST | 130 | 4.45 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 130 | 4.45 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST | 128 | 4.44 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST | 128 | 4.44 | 111–177 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST | 127 | 4.43 | 111–177 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST | 127 | 4.43 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST | 126 | 4.42 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST | 126 | 4.42 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST | 125 | 4.41 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST | 124 | 4.4 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST | 122 | 4.39 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 121 | 4.38 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 121 | 4.38 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST | 120 | 4.37 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST | 119 | 4.36 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST | 119 | 4.36 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST | 118 | 4.35 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST | 117 | 4.34 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST | 117 | 4.34 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST | 115 | 4.33 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST | 115 | 4.33 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST | 115 | 4.33 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST | 114 | 4.32 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 114 | 4.32 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST | 114 | 4.32 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST | 114 | 4.32 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST | 113 | 4.31 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST | 113 | 4.31 | 115–184 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 115–184 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST | 108 | 4.27 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST | 108 | 4.27 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST | 108 | 4.27 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST | 108 | 4.27 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST | 108 | 4.27 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST | 110 | 4.28 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–189 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–189 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST | 112 | 4.3 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT | 111 | 4.29 | 116–190 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT | 111 | 4.29 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT | 111 | 4.29 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT | 111 | 4.29 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT | 110 | 4.28 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 111 | 4.29 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT | 112 | 4.3 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT | 112 | 4.3 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT | 113 | 4.31 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT | 113 | 4.31 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT | 113 | 4.31 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT | 113 | 4.31 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT | 114 | 4.32 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT | 114 | 4.32 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT | 115 | 4.33 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT | 115 | 4.33 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 115 | 4.33 | 115–180 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT | 115 | 4.33 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT | 117 | 4.34 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT | 118 | 4.35 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT | 118 | 4.35 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT | 118 | 4.35 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT | 120 | 4.37 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT | 119 | 4.36 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT | 120 | 4.37 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT | 121 | 4.38 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT | 121 | 4.38 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT | 122 | 4.39 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT | 122 | 4.39 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT | 122 | 4.39 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT | 122 | 4.39 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT | 124 | 4.4 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 124 | 4.4 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 111–185 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 117–181 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 117–181 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 117–181 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT | 125 | 4.41 | 117–181 |
Map of USGS gauge 04033000 and the river around it
Where MIDDLE BRANCH ONTONAGON RIVER NEAR PAULDING, MI sits and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Michigan DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Michigan rule: 68°F.
This gauge is on our page for Middle Branch Ontonagon River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Normal for Nov 5: 111–171 ft³/s (middle half of 79 years of record). Now: 142 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 142 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 79 years of record (1943–2026): 10th 97, 25th 111, median 136, 75th 171, 90th 238 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 80.1 ft³/s, highest 437 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+3.6% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 4.56 ft stage, 144 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST (NWS gauge PAUM4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:08 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.